At least 41 people have died in a fire at a church in the Egyptian capital, reports say.
The fire tore through Cairo’s Abu Sefein Church on Sunday, also injuring 14 people, the country’s Coptic Church said.
The fire reportedly broke out while a service was underway on Sunday morning, with sources telling Reuters that the fire was caused by an electrical fault as worshipers gathered for mass.
Fifteen fire engines were dispatched to the scene to extinguish the flames, while ambulances took the victims to nearby hospitals.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi has spoken by phone with Coptic Christian Pope Tawadros II to express his condolences, the president’s office said.
“I am closely following the developments of the tragic accident,” el-Sissi wrote on Facebook.
“I have instructed all relevant government agencies and institutions to take all necessary measures and to address this accident and its consequences immediately.”
More to follow…